New Resident Page

Welcome to Monona! This page is designed as a resource guide for new residents, to help you learn everything you need to know about living in Monona. Whether you want to know what community events are happening, how to pay utility bills, or what sustainability initiatives you can take advantage of, all the information you’ll need lives on this page.

Government Services

Below are listed some of the most common government services new residents might want to know about. If you are looking for other government services and processes, check out the I Want To... page for a more extensive list of services, permits, and programs.

You can sign up for email or text notifications about community news, events, alerts, etc. on our Notify Me page. There is also a community-wide newsletter that we publish twice a year. To see the most recent newsletter, please click here.

For more information on Monona’s City Council and their responsibilities, please visit the City Council page.

Monona is on the move...to clean energy!

In March 2019, the City passed a 100% Clean Energy and Resiliency Resolution. Our community is committed to increasing our energy efficiency and investing in renewable energy to meet our collective needs.

There are various programs available for Monona residents who want to reduce their energy use. The state-run Focus on Energy program provides services like appliance recycling, home assessments and free energy saving packs for Wisconsin residents.

Monona is part of the MadiSUN program, organized by RENEW WI, which is a solar group by program. The program uses the collective buying power of participating households to get great deals on rooftop solar.

The City runs the Renew Monona Loan Program, which provides low interest loans to residents who are making substantial improvements to their home that enhance it’s efficiency. You can find the loan application and types of qualifying projects on the program page.

Recycling

The City of Monona encourages its residents to recycle properly. Advanced Disposal collects recycling in Monona, and have compiled a list of acceptable recycling items. You can also check out the Monona Recyclopedia for more recycling guidelines.

To recycle items that aren’t collected by Advanced Disposal, check out companies like TerraCycle and Reynolds Urethane Recycling. For a more complete list of where to take difficult to recycle items, click here (insert link to educational material from Spring Clean event).

Landscaping and Lakes

To help keep Lake Monona clean, free of algae blooms and open for recreation, sign up for our Adopt a Storm Drain program!

If you’re planning on landscaping your lawn, consider using native plants or installing a rain garden, which have lower environmental impacts than a typical sodded lawn. You can learn more on our sustainable land use page.

To get a pet license for your dog or cat, you can fill out the application and return it to city Hall along with your pet’s rabies certification. Pet licences are required in order to use the Monona dog park or any Dane County dog parks.

To start water utility service for your new home, please click here. To pay your utility bills, please click here.

Madison Gas & Electric is the electric and gas utility provider for Monona. To start service and pay bills, visit mge.com. Through their Green Power Tomorrow program, MG&E allows residents to purchase electricity from their wind and solar arrays.

Monona’s Adopt a Storm Drain program encourages residents to help keep Lake Monona clean and healthy. Residents can ’adopt’ storm drains near their homes and pledge to clear leaves out of their drains before rainstorms. If you’re interested in participating, please visit the Adopt a Storm Drain page!

Monona contracts with Advanced Disposal to collect trash and recycling for residents. The grey carts are designated for trash, which is picked up every week. Theblue carts are designated for recycling, which is picked up every other week. To learn more about collection schedules, disposal guidelines, and special item recycling and pick-up, please visit our Trash & Recycling Collection page.

If you want to learn more about what items can be recycled in Monona, check out our Recyclopedia. The City’s Sustainability Committee has worked with Advanced Disposal to create this comprehensive guide to recycling in Monona.

If you plan to remodel or renovate your home, you will likely need a building permit. You can learn more about projects that require building permits and see the application on the Building Inspection page.

The City runs the Renew Monona Loan Program, which provides low interest loans to residents who are making substantial improvements to their home that enhance it’s efficiency. You can find the loan application and types of qualifying projects on the program page.

Monona is part of the MadiSUN program, organized by RENEW WI, which is a solar group by program. The program uses the collective buying power of participating households to get great deals on rooftop solar.